Offaly County Council

Offaly Co Council became the first local authority in Ireland to formally adopt a timber purchasing policy in 2001. Unfortunately the policy was never implemented.

After some public protest (photo) outside the Council offices and subsequent discussion on the Housing, Social and Cultural Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) an updated DRAFT Timber Policy was submitted by Just Forests to Offaly County Council in January 2009.

Offaly County Council and Tullamore Town Council members and officials have been exposed to Just Forests’ aims and objectives more so that any other local administrative bodies in Ireland since our foundation in Tullamore in 1989. The current Offaly County Manager, Mr. Pat Gallagher, was one of our main speakers at the first public information conference on global forest related matters held in Dowdstown House, Navan, on 22nd November 1996. Mr. Gallagher was then Chairperson of the Sub-Committee on Development Co-Operation of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs.

In his presentation Mr. Gallagher stated

A fundamental principle of Irish Aid is that sustainable development is only possible when adequate attention is paid to environmental issues. Therefore, systematic attention is given to environmental questions at all stages of project implementation, including project identification, appraisal, review and evaluation. Implicit in this is the taking into account of issues regarding forestry, forestation and deforestation.Deputy Pat Gallagher- (current Offaly County Manager)

Mr.Gallagher’s full presentation was carried in the Tullamore Tribune 1st February 1997.

Local Papers Reported on Offaly Co Council's 'timber policy' at the time:

Offaly County Council are delighted to be the first local authority in Ireland to have formally adopted a timber purchasing policy. This policy was adapted by Offaly County Council in April 2001 and is underpinned by the principle that timber and wood products sourced by the Council will as soon as is practicable, be independently certified, preferrably by a certifier accredited by The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), or equivalent, as coming from well managed sustainable sources. We believe that by promoting this policy, where practicable, in our public works contracts we are leading by example in the sustainable development of forests both home and abroad.Mr. Niall Sweeney, Offaly County Manager (retired)